We are delighted to give DREW WYLIE a belated birthday present in the shape of our Monthly Merit Award for the month of June 2013 but, of course, the solid Monaghan full-back hopes to collect an even bigger prize this month – in the shape of an Ulster SFC medal.

However, this award is something to be going on with in the meantime and Drew, who celebrated his 25th birthday last week, is a bit overawed at his new-found glory.

“Listen, this is a really big surprise to me and I greatly appreciate it. I never imagined that I would be in the reckoning for such an award as the Ulster GAA Writers’ Monthly Merit. Like most winners, I’m sure, will say that I didn’t win it on my own. This is a team game and without the help of my colleagues I wouldn’t be getting the award.

Drew pictured with his father, Andy and brother, Ryan.

They make it easy for me but I’m delighted that I am the player selected. It is a nice boost for me going into the Ulster final,” enthused the Ballybay defender.

Last year, Drew won his club’s ‘Man of the Year’ after Ballybay had collected the Monaghan Senior Football Championship title. He reveals that is the only previous individual award he has ever won.

Wylie has beaten off the challenges of many opponents in the past years – he is four years in the Monaghan senior panel – and for this honour he survived the challenges of county colleague Colin Walsh and Donegal sharpshooter Colm McFadden, a previous winner of the award. There was an honourable mention, also, for the Down hurlers who won the Christy Ring Cup last month.

All pictures by

Peadar McMahon

UGAAWA members - Michael McGeary, John Martin, John Graham, Oliver McVeigh and John Campbell with the June winner - Drew Wylie.

Drew with UGAAWA Chairman, John Martin, and UGAAWA members Peadar McMahon and John P. Graham.

Like all other UGAAWA monthly winners, Drew receives an engraved Belleek Living Vase, engraved silver cuff links from Omeath jeweller Garrett Mallon, training gear from O’Neill’s International Sports, a sports voucher from the UGAAWA and two tickets plus overnight accommodation for the UGAAWA annual banquet, at the Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran, next November.